The second week of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships kicks off on Monday with a highly competitive ATP 500 men’s tournament, featuring top-ranked players and former champions.
The Official Draw, held at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, has set the stage for thrilling matchups, including a highly anticipated first-round clash between No. 2 seed Alex de Minaur and former US Open champion Marin Čilić.
This year’s 32-player field boasts four former Dubai winners: Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Roberto Bautista Agut, and defending champion Ugo Humbert. Humbert, who begins his title defense against Jiri Lehecka, expressed his excitement, calling last year’s victory “the biggest moment” of his career.
Top seed Medvedev, ranked No. 6 in the world, faces Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, a player he has beaten seven times in their past eight meetings. Meanwhile, Italian Matteo Berrettini, a 2021 Wimbledon finalist, will take on French veteran Gaël Monfils in a high-profile opening-round encounter.
The draw also welcomed rising talent Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard, wildcard entrant Dan Evans, and other notable competitors. Evans, a Dubai resident making his sixth tournament appearance, expressed his enthusiasm:
“I’ve always felt comfortable here, and I hope to use that to my advantage.”
Rublev, the tournament’s third seed, will begin his campaign against a qualifier, while Bautista Agut takes on Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan. Tournament organizers have also granted wildcards to Lebanon’s Hady Habib and Tunisia’s Aziz Dougaz, in addition to Evans.
Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free and Chairman of the Tournament Organising Committee, highlighted the event’s elite competition.
“Fans can expect high-quality tennis from the start,”
he said.
The 33rd edition of this prestigious event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, runs from February 24 to March 1 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
